Course Correction
Delhi: When Congress chief Sonia Gandhi
called on visiting Netherlands Prime Minister Wim Kok last week, it was the first reversal
of a VIP protocol diligently followed since 1991. After Rajiv's assassination, every
visiting dignitary was despatched to 10 Janpath, as though it were some Eiffel Tower. Even
the NDA Government in 1998 continued what was turned into a custom by the P.V. Narasimha
Rao-led Congress regime. But the Vajpayee Government has now signalled that while as
leader of the Opposition she is entitled to an audience with VIP guests, Sonia will no
more be receiving them at home as a member of the so-called first family of Indian
politics. No Show
Delhi: The traditional gurbani at the
Rashtrapati Bhavan a day before the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak had to be cancelled at
the last moment this year. The cancellation of the function was not due to any policy
change, like making the super-prime property at Raisina Hill secular. The session of
devotional songs had to be called off because the raagi, or the singer, engaged for it had
some more pressing assignment to attend to. President K.R. Narayanan's powers as the head
of state therefore has more limitations than are listed in the Constitution.
Embarrassing Leaks
Delhi: Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha is
tired of getting his ministry to issue rejoinders to reports circulating in the media
about "impending" policy decisions from North Block. One day it was lowering of
the retirement age of Central Government employees back to 58 years. Soon there was yet
another report that the Planning Commission deputy chairman had recommended provident fund
interest rate be cut from 12 per cent to 10 per cent. The point is, both decisions, if
implemented, would have hurt the interests of senior bureaucrats and alienated them from
the finance minister. Sinha, without relenting after issuing denials, has ordered his
ministry staff to keep a close watch for leaks to the media.
Splendid Isolation
Lucknow: Former chief minister Kalyan Singh
has closed his doors to virtually everyone, including party functionaries and the media.
"Sahib meeting mein hain," is the constant reply at his Mall Avenue residence,
despite the fact that he does not hold any office now nor is there any occasion for
meetings of any sort. Kalyan wants to distance himself so much from the people that he got
his phone numbers changed and his staff refuses to give the new numbers to visitors.
"Sahib kuch din baad bolenge (He will speak after some time)," was the terse
reply of his security guards, the only ones with Kalyan these days.
CONFESSIONAL
As state BJP president, RAJNATH SINGH was as much responsible for
the party's rout in Uttar Pradesh as was Kalyan Singh. But Kalyan was removed and Rajnath
awarded.
On whose decision were you made a Union Minister?
Vajpayee, Advani or RSS chief Rajju Bhaiyya?
There is no question of Rajju Bhaiyya making or marring anyone as
minister. But I certainly have the blessings of Advani and Vajpayee.
You were equally responsible for the party's rout
in Uttar Pradesh. But you have been rewarded with a cabinet post while Kalyan was
punished.
As far as I am concerned, as a disciplined soldier, I have obeyed the orders of my
high command.
It is said that as state BJP chief, you are
remote-controlling the Ram Prakash Gupta Government.
(laughs) I don't even know how to use my TV remote. I have already told the party
leadership to nominate a new state party president as it will not be possible for me to do
justice to both jobs.
Did you have ambitions of becoming chief minister
after dislodging Kalyan?
I never had any such ambitions.
Gupta has not been able to sort out the problem of
portfolio allocation to the BJP allies in the state.
I am confident of sorting things out. Gupta is quite capable of running the
government, there should be no doubt in anyone's mind in this regard.
Would you like to come back as chief minister of
Uttar Pradesh?
I am not an astrologer who can predict the future. Whatever assignment is given to
me by the party high command, I take it up. Whether in the past, present or in the future.
-Subhash
Mishra
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